Judge issues gag order in Texas biker shooting case

FORT WORTH — A sweeping gag order was issued Tuesday in a lawsuit arising from a May brawl at a roadside restaurant in Waco in which nine bikers were killed and 177 people arrested.

The ruling in the lawsuit filed by Matthew Clendennen, a biker who says he was wrongfully arrested, prevents attorneys, witnesses and law enforcement officers involved in the case from discussing it with media.

McLennan County District Court Judge Matt Johnson also ruled that Clendennen’s attorney, Clint Broden, can view surveillance video from the Twin Peaks franchisee in Waco, but barred it from public release.

Johnson said in the gag order that he acted to prevent pretrial publicity from influencing potential jurors.

Las Vegas attorney Stephen Stubbs, who was retained by the Bandidos, one of the motorcycle clubs involved in the melee, called the gag order unconstitutional.

“Tying the hands of these people who have been accused of crimes and not allowing them to defend themselves in the media is just wrong,” Stubbs said.